Alexander Volkov has been on the verge of rising to the heavyweight elite for several years. He’s missing only that great exclusive finish.
He got it on Saturday night.
Volkov eliminated legend Alistair Overeem by technical knockout at 2 minutes and 6 seconds of the second round in the main fight of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. After bleeding Overeem with difficult combinations, Volkov landed a left hook that knocked Overeem down forever. Referee Jason Herzog jumped and canceled the fight.
The victory was unilateral and perhaps Volkov’s best performance in the UFC and should elevate him to the upper echelon of the heavyweight division. ESPN had Overeem ranked No. 6 in the world at heavyweight and Volkov just below him at No. 7.
“My turn has come,” said Volkov, a six-foot-six Russian named “Drago”, in his post-fight interview.
Overeem was successful in the first with several hard overhand lefts. But waiting to oppose Volkov was a mistake. Volkov went forward hitting combinations of strong and straight punches with Overeem bombing along the cage. Although Overeem was blocking, Volkov’s shots were strong and passed. Overeem was cut off at the end of the first round.
In the second round, Volkov pressed Overeem against the cage again and hit hard jab-cross combinations. The technique was simple, but very effective. Volkov’s heavy hands bloodied Overeem even more.
When the two separated, Overeem’s face was almost completely red. Volkov then hit a perfectly placed left hook to send Overeem to the screen.
“I felt I could finish it in the second or third round,” said Volkov. “I saw his face. He had a lot of cuts and blood on his face. I was hoping for a good punch. I did it.”
The fight was fought without fans using the COVID-19 protocols at UFC Apex, a location across from the UFC corporate campus. It was the first UFC event of the year in the United States after the first three took place in Abu Dhabi.
Volkov (33-8) has won nine of his last 11 fights. He was leaving a TKO in the second round over Walt Harris in October and is on a two-game winning streak.
Volkov, 32, is the former M-1 Global heavyweight champion and has been a permanent contender in the UFC. Prior to Saturday, he had failed in previous attempts to beat opponents Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.
Overeem (47-19, 1 NC) has won two in a row and four of his last five, hoping for one last fight for the UFC heavyweight title. The Dutch striker is one of the most talented fighters in the history of heavyweight MMA. He is a former heavyweight champion of Strikeforce and Dream and one of only two fighters to win titles in MMA and K-1 K-1.
Overeem, 40, has wins over former UFC champions Brock Lesnar, Vitor Belfort (twice), Fabricio Werdum (twice), Junior dos Santos, Andrei Arlovski and Frank Mir.